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Why the Premier League transfer window is opening earlier this year

16 May 2018

Premier League golf equipment can begin splashing the money on new stars from subsequent week, with the top-flight switch window set to open a month sooner than normal. It wouldn't surprise us to see several of them depart and subsequently be replaced.

Why has the transfer window closing date changed?

Press Association Sport understands officials have opted to pull the opening back to next Thursday in order to comply with a FIFA rule which requires at least one window to open for 12 weeks.

Domestic transfers can be completed from midnight on May 17, but transfers from overseas can only be finalised once the FIFA Transfer Matching System (TMS) opens at midnight on June 8.

Premier League clubs voted last September for an earlier open and close, with the likes of Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho urging the league to approve the move.

In France, the transfer window will open on June 9.

Transfers in Spain can be completed from July 2.

This year, Premier League squads will be completed prior to the season kicking off on August 11.

The windows in those four leagues will close on August 31.

What are the EFL transfer windows like?

It opened on Monday, May 7 for domestic transfers.

Sky Sports reports that this summer's transfer window will now open on May 17 and close on August 9, before the beginning of the 2018/19 Premier League season.

EFL clubs will still be able to sign players on loan until August 31. They will still be able to loan players and register players that are free agents up until August 31, 2018.